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City news in 250 words: Monday 11 October

Community service for teen torturers, Bolton West bashed and the Torres tug of war

Published on October 11th 2010.

TEEN TORTURERS AVOID JAIL: Three men who tortured an autistic teenager have walked free from court. Jack Bolton, Andrew Griffin, and Nathan Marshall carried out a three-day attack on their victim. Mobile phone footage of the attack was shown at Manchester Crown Court but Judge Jonathan Geake handed out community service orders and three-month curfews instead of a prison sentence.

BOLTON WEST BASHED: Bolton West services has been voted the worst in the country in an online survey of motorists. Complaints included dirty toilets, broken hand-driers and a leaking ceiling. One respondent said: “Toilets were foul and I was gasping for breath after just a moment inside.” Its owner, Euro Garages, is waiting for planning permission to redevelop the services. Also in the top 10 worst services were Knutsford; Birch and Sandbach.

OLDHAM COUNCIL JOB CUTS: Up to 800 jobs could be lost at Oldham Council to save it £45m in three years. The affected departments are People, Communities and Societies; Economy, Places and Skills; Performance, Services and Capacity and the Assistant Chief Executive's office. Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for performance and value for public money, said: "This is a very serious step and one that we do not take lightly.”

UTD V CITY IN TORRES TUG OF WAR: Manchester United and Manchester City are both set to bid £40m for Liverpool ace Fernando Torres. The Reds are keen despite racking up an £83.6m loss last year and Sheik Mansour is desperate to bring Champions League football to Eastlands.

Out of the window weather forecast:Bright blue skies and sun...October is the new July.

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